by Keith Sargeant, USA TODAY Sports

by Keith Sargeant, USA TODAY Sports

After being widely criticized for allegedly rescinding an offer to have Eric LeGrand speak at Rutgers' May 18 commencement, university President Robert Barchi made amends.

In an 83-word statement that left lingering questions about how Rutgers found itself in another national firestorm, Barchi fixed what he called a "miscommunication'' by saying LeGrand will join former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean as a commencement speaker.

"Eric LeGrand will speak at our commencement and personally receive his degree from me as a representative of the Class of 2014,'' Barchi said. "It was never our intention that Eric would be the only speaker. We have resolved that miscommunication and are delighted to have him participate.''

Barchi followed it up with a phone call to LeGrand, who said he accepted Barchi's apology.

"I think it was honestly just a miscommunication on their part,'' LeGrand said. "The president (Barchi) made a decision but didn't let everybody know that they were meeting Monday and then I guess the staff took it in their hands to go out and continue to look for a speaker. And then I didn't hear from anybody this morning. That's why I felt disrespected.''

LeGrand, whose life was altered during his junior year when he sustained a paralyzing neck injury in an Oct. 16, 2010, Rutgers football game, has become a national celebrity for his "bELieve'' attitude, persevering through adversity by earning his degree in labor studies in January.

"Eric holds a special place in the hearts of the Class of 2014 and the entire university community,'' Barchi said. "We are thrilled that he will be joining us on stage to make this special occasion ever more memorable.''

The statement from Rutgers came approximately 14 hours after LeGrand tweeted to his 129,000 Twitter followers: "Rutgers offered me the commencement speech this weekend and I was going to accept but they decided to go other ways for political reasons.''

In a subsequent interview with the Asbury Park Press late Monday night, LeGrand expressed disappointment, saying he was offered the commencement speaking duty by Gregory Jackson, Barchi's chief of staff, and then didn't hear back from top university officials until after Barchi had named Kean as the commencement speaker.

The Rutgers president tapped Kean two days after former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice opted not to deliver the commencement address amid a string of protests stemming from her role as national security adviser to former President George W. Bush during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

"I started hearing all that about Condoleezza Rice Saturday night, and then I heard from Gregory Jackson before my flight home from Florida, and he told me they wanted me to do the commencement (speech),'' LeGrand said. "When I heard Tom Kean was going to be the speaker in a press release, I was like, 'What in the world is going on?' ''

Rather than hearing from Barchi or his deputy, LeGrand said he received a call from Rutgers athletics director Julie Hermann, who he said left him a voice mail message. The result saw top Rutgers officials draw rebuke from the Scarlet Knights fan base, in social media circles and in Trenton, where Senate President Steve Sweeney weighed in with a statement.

"Eric LeGrand is an inspiration to the nation and arguably the most respected and visible ambassador for Rutgers,'' the Democratic leader said. "Eric is the quintessential role model, and a perfect choice to address Rutgers graduates and offer them advice about overcoming life's challenges. He deserves an explanation."

Ultimately, LeGrand received one that left a lingering question: If it was always Barchi's intention to have LeGrand serve as a commencement speaker, why did Hermann call to say - according to LeGrand - Rutgers officials "decided to go in a different direction for political reasons?''

"That's where I'm at a loss,'' LeGrand said. "Why did she have to do it, did the president ask her to do it? I still don't know that answer. But I did accept (Barchi's) apology on them inviting me and then not knowing that they went with (choosing Kean).''

Hermann, through a spokesperson, declined comment and Jackson didn't respond to repeated phone messages and a text from the Asbury Park Press. Jackson offered a statement through a spokesperson, saying he left it up to Hermann to call LeGrand because "Julie had said she had such a strong relationship with Eric. So at that point the thinking was (for Jackson) that it was being dealt with.''

Pete McDonough, vice president for public affairs at Rutgers, said he believed the reason why university officials didn't announce LeGrand's role at the same time as the Kean announcement was because Barchi intended to "surprise'' LeGrand.

"The initial thought was to make this a bit of a surprise,'' McDonough said. "I don't know what resolved after that.''

McDonough added: "I think the miscommunication probably surrounds speaking at the commencement and doing the commencement speech. And that's all been resolved. Bob apologized for whatever misunderstanding, or miscommunication, there was and we're moving forward to have a great commencement with two all-stars.''

It's only fitting that LeGrand will address his fellow graduates at High Point Solutions Stadium, where high atop a coaching booth sets his No. 52, which was retired by the football program last fall in his honor.

"Really I'm just happy I get to speak to the crowd because this is what I wanted to do,'' LeGrand said. ""I wanted to share my story, share everything that's gone on in my life, make an impact on their lives, and hopefully I can make this the best speech I ever gave.''